A FOODBANK volunteer is gearing up to Race Against Hunger next week.

Scott Johnstone, 29, from Hill of Beath, will be running 14.2 miles to raise money for each of the five Trussel Trust Foodbanks in the area.

He told the Press: "The five foodbanks under Dunfermline, Benarty, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline, Inverkeithing and Rosyth are all very important to me as I've been working alongside them and have been a volunteer at Rosyth Foodbank for just over three years now.

"I've seen first hand the amazing and tireless work all the volunteers do. Every night the foodbanks are open the volunteers will be met with many different situations and challenges to deal with.

"From sorting through crates of food deliveries to being the friendly face offering a tea or coffee to a client who may be struggling with loneliness on top of other issues. Each team of volunteers works differently but they all work together to treat the clients with the dignity and respect that they deserve."

After seeing that the Trussel Trust were holding their 2023 Race Against Hunger, Scott got in touch with their fundraising team who suggested that he worked directly with the Dunfermline Foodbank so that the generous donations made to his Just Giving page would go directly into his community.

He has set a fundraising target of £500, but in under a week he had already surpassed the £400 mark.

"The generosity of friends, family and other volunteers at the foodbank has been amazing and is really going to give me that extra boost of energy on the day. With each donation I also like to think it's helping to raise awareness of the local foodbanks as well and may even lead to others volunteering or donating regularly after this." He said.

"To everyone who has donated so far, thank you all so much! Obviously it would mean the world to me to hit my target and I really appreciate all the donations that come in. But these donations people are making are going to go much further than just me and this race.

"Each donation made will help to put food on the table for local families who are struggling to make ends meet. With the cost of living rocketing and our living standards falling, the reality is many families are finding themselves in this situation for the first time and it could effect any of us.

"With each donation you are helping those in poverty, those in low paid and insecure jobs, those who can't work due to disabilities, and with each donation you're helping get these families back on their feet."

Now, Scott is focusing on training for the run, during the week he is focusing on strength training at the gym and is putting in three runs a week with a longer, endurance focused run at the weekend.

He said: "I've only ever run a half marathon distance once in my life and as this route along all five foodbanks is just over a half marathon distance at 14.2 miles then it will definitely be quite the challenge!"

He is also encouraging other people to get involved in helping their communities.

"When I started volunteering three years ago it was because I didn't want to wait around and just hope that things would get better eventually. If you want to see change in your community then get involved where you can and muck in to help others. Whether that's through donations or volunteering it can all make a difference," he said.

To donate to Scott's fundraiser and help your local Foodbank, visit his JustGiving page.

He added: "In this day and age our communities should be thriving, not just surviving."